John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
Acts 2:1-21
In my early 30's, I worked in a school and then a residential facility for people with developmental challenges. Some of the children and most of the adults had no friends or family members to make decisions about their futures. Either their parents had died or the children were placed in the facility through the courts with a disconnection of parental rights.
Both of these places where I worked were advanced in providing the best possible care and education for the clients in the least restrictive environment. Still, sometimes choices had to be made on their behalf. For example, when Brenda’s condition had deteriorated to the point where she couldn’t swallow without choking, someone had to approve the insertion of a feeding tube.
That was when the Advocate was called upon for such a critical decision. We’ll use Brenda as an example. Brenda’s advocate might have been a Social Worker, a lawyer or a distant relative who had final authority to make life or death decisions on her behalf. Each quarter the Advocate was invited to attend a meeting with Brenda’s doctor, teacher, personal care provider, nursing supervisor and facility manager. At that time, the team would make plans for Brenda’s continuing care, set goals, look at health records and consider recommendations for her.
The Advocate’s responsibility was to make sure Brenda’s “voice” was part of the conversation. If Brenda had not had limits in her life, she could have spoken up for herself. She could have lived the independent life all adults dream of. But with her special needs, it was a blessing to have someone speak up on her behalf to make sure Brenda had the best life possible. Brenda needed an advocate.
In today’s Gospel lesson, in one of Jesus’ final discourses, our Lord promises his followers that each one of us will have – DOES have – an advocate. Jesus knows he will be finishing his mission here on earth and he doesn’t want his friends and loved ones feeling abandoned. The Advocate Jesus and his Father send into the world will be a constant companion to those who confess Christ as Lord. Jesus knows what kind of world he’s leaving his disciples in. It is a world where people don’t know the true meaning of sin, righteousness and judgment.
First, Jesus tells his faithful followers the world where they will try to proclaim God’s eternal love doesn’t really know what sin is. This world, under the influence of the evil one, thinks sin means disobeying the ten commandments or refusing to serve the emperor or choosing to put some material thing in place of a relationship with the Lord. Jesus says they’re wrong about what sin is. Jesus says not believing in him and the One who sent him is sin.
People who do not have a relationship with the one true God in three persons, even though the Advocate (the Holy Spirit) invites them to build one, are sinning. They are refusing to allow God’s spirit to have a place of priority in their lives. Therefore, they are wrong about the meaning of sin.
Next, Jesus tells his faithful followers the world where they will try to proclaim God’s eternal love doesn’t really know what righteousness is. This world, under the influence of the evil one, thinks righteousness means gaining a good reputation at all costs. The head of a wealthy household who puts on a show of going to the temple, paying his taxes and glad-handing everyone he meets may not be truly righteous. Within the walls of his compound or in the fields he owns he may be a tyrant causing all who know him intimately to fear him.
Righteousness is not a mask to put on when others are watching. Righteousness is truly right living, putting God’s will first in one’s life, making every decision based on one’s relationship with the One who is in all creation. Being righteous means recognizing Jesus in the face and needs of others. Anyone who refuses someone in need is not righteous whether that need is physical, spiritual or social.
Finally, Jesus tells his faithful followers the world where they will try to proclaim God’s eternal love doesn’t really know what judgment is. This world, under the influence of the evil one, thinks judgment means their own right to take the measure of others around them.
The Romans took the measure of the Greeks, invaded their lands and overpowered them. People living in Greece were killed, stolen from or made into slaves with no rights. The Romans moved on into the Middle East and Northern Africa, conquering residents of those lands and forcing them to give up their own cultural practices and pledge allegiance to their oppressors.
Judgment, Jesus teaches, belongs to God alone. It is not the right of the ruler of this temporal world and it certainly is not OUR right. Jesus knows his resurrection will be the final blow to the evil one. Jesus will conquer death and win the final victory. Death is not the end for us who believe. God has judged that to be reality.
Time moves along, and the disciples witness Jesus’ capture, torture and shameful death. Their very souls cry out in pain at the great loss they’ve suffered. They had such high hopes for this Messiah and the freedom he’d promised to bring into the world.
Then, on the third day they discover Jesus is not in the tomb where he was laid. Heavenly messengers announce he has been raised from the dead and goes before them to prepare the way. Just as John the Baptizer paved the way for Jesus’ ministry, Jesus has now paved the way for his disciples’ ministry.
So 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection his disciples are gathered together in one place, celebrating the Jewish festival of Pentecost. This cultural celebration is reinterpreted on this particular day, though, when the sound as of a mighty wind fills the entire house where they are gathered. The lives of these faithful people are changed forever.
Jesus DID go ahead as he had promised. Jesus DID sent the Advocate to give them courage, hope and deeper faith. The Holy Spirit comes alive within them and they are inspired to tell the WORLD about their Lord and Savior. Peter proclaims a new meaning of an ancient text. He announces the prophecy of Joel has been fulfilled.
From now on, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Today, Peter’s proclamation is up to YOU. You understand that sin is a separation from God. You know righteousness is more than a public mask you wear. You realize God is the only one whose judgment will prevail. You trust that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
You are the voice of Pentecost. You are the voice of the church. You are the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. You have been empowered by the Holy Spirit since your baptism. You have been and will be forgiven and receive the promise of new life. You have been commissioned to go into the world, to the many lands to build relationships that help every person know they are beloved children of God.
Start within your own home. Share it with your neighbors and loved ones. Reach out to the needy with advocacy and material support. Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, the gift of God for all the people of God. The Advocate is with you always. Amen
(Comments to Linda at kraftylynx@gmail.com.)
Linda Kraft
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Trumbull, CT